Outlook PST File Too Large to Open? Here’s How to Fix It

What Causes Outlook Data Files Too Large in Size?

When you send/receive a new email, the data will get stored in the Outlook data file. So, with increasing emails, the size of the PST file increases. Generally, the file has sufficient space to store a large amount of data, but it has a finite storage capacity.

A PST file stores complete mailbox data. So, along with emails, it also saves contacts, calendars, tasks, journals, attachments, etc. Adding more data to these categories will also increase the PST file size. Before learning how to open an Outlook data file, we should explore the size limit of PST files.

How Big Can a PST File Be – PST File Size Limitation

The storage capacity of PST files has increased significantly with Outlook updates. Initially, Outlook 2000 and 2002 used to store a maximum of 2GB of data in a PST file. This size limit reached 20 GB in Outlook 2003 and 2007. Now, MS Outlook 2010 and later versions come with a maximum PST size limit of 50 GB.

With a PST file too large to copy, the chances of PST file corruption are still there. So, Microsoft developed the built-in free utility, i.e., the Inbox Repair Tool, to fix minor corruption in Outlook PST files. Also, you should use the DRS PST Recovery Tool for major PST file corruption.

Problems Arise Due to the PST File too Large Size

Outlook PST files have a fixed storage limit. Beyond that, it starts showing error messages and even leads to file corruption. You become unable to open Outlook data files. Some of the main issues that arise due to oversized PST files are.

• Outlook Error 0x00040820: When you try to synchronize an Exchange server with offline files, you may encounter error 0x00040820. The reason behind this Outlook error is an oversized PST file.
• Cannot Open Outlook Data File: You will encounter an issue, such as a file that cannot be copied because it is too large. Therefore, your PST file should be below the maximum size limit.
• Outlook PST Corruption: An Outlook.pst file too large in size will also be subject to file corruption. As it is already oversized, adding more data will lead to PST file corruption. So, you will not be able to recover your precious mailbox data.

These are the prominent issues related to the Outlook data file too large size to open problem. So, it becomes necessary to reduce the size of the PST file to its size limit. Let us learn the different viable options through which you can reduce the size of PST files.

Manual Solutions to Reduce the Size of Outlook PST file

Outlook PST files contain all your mailbox data. You cannot simply delete your valuable emails. So, here we explain the most practical ways to reduce the size of a PST file too large to copy. The two standard techniques are:

• Mailbox Cleanup Tool
• Using the Compact Now Feature

Method 01: Mailbox Cleanup Tool

1. Launch the MS Outlook application on your system.
2. Click on the File button on the top menu bar.
3. Now, select the Tool icon in the Info tab.
4. After that, choose the Mailbox cleanup option.
5. In the new wizard, click on the Empty button to clean deleted emails permanently.

Using this technique, you can compact a PST file too large to copy by emptying the deleted items folder. If this method does not work, you can opt for another technique.

Method 02: Using the Compact Now Feature

1. Open the Outlook application and click on the File.
2. Now, press the Account Settings.
3. After that, click on the Account Settings option from the list.
4. In the new wizard, select the Data Files tab.
5. Choose a particular PST file and click on the Settings button.
6. Now, press the Compact Now button to compress PST files.
7. At last, click on the OK button to finish the process.

In this method, you are not deleting any mailbox data. You are compressing the Outlook file too large to open or copy. Although it is an effective technique, it may cause damage to the PST file. So, it is also not a permanent solution. The most reliable option is to split your large PST file into smaller files.

Professional Tool to Split PST Files too large in size

The DRS PST Splitter is a professional utility to divide large PST files into smaller files. It reduces the size of PST files by distributing the data into multiple files. The software provides numerous advanced features to make file splitting easy and effective, like Split PST files by emails, and more. Moreover, the tool has an interactive user interface so that any novice user can divide the PST files without hassle.

Simple Steps to Fix Outlook PST File Too Large to Open

1. Download and install the DRS PST Splitter Tool.
2. Click on Add Files or Add Folder to load your PST files.
3. Then, preview and select the PST files that you want to split. Choose the Splitting options. Click Next.
4. Lastly, apply the advanced features and click Split.

Conclusion

After reading the complete article, it can be concluded that the “Outlook PST file too large to open” is a general issue. You can resolve the problem by various methods. However, they are not a permanent solution. The best option is to divide the PST file too large in size into multiple smaller files. It reduces the PST size without deleting any mailbox data.

Frequently Asked Questions